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First Rescue By LÉ William Butler Yeats Conducted in the Mediterranean

3rd August 2017

RHIBS from the LÉ William Butler Yeats (on horizon) attend the scene of their first search and rescue (SAR) of 109 migrant/refugees off the Libyan coast last weekend.Photo: Irish Defence Forces/facebook

#navy - The first search and rescue (SAR) operation has been conducted by LÉ William Butler Yeats since the Irish Naval Service OPV was deployed this year to the Mediterranean with Operation Pontus.

The SAR took place on Sunday, following a request from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre. This saw LÉ William Butler Yeats successfully locate and rescue a total of 109* migrants 56 nautical miles north-east of the Libyan capital Tripoli.

The rescue according to the Irish Defence Forces began at 12.30pm and all migrants were on board by 4.30pm. They received food, water and medical treatment where required.

LÉ William Butler Yeats transferred the rescued migrants to an Italian Coast Guard vessel later that day.